News

Russian Church welcomes shutdown of "Moscow church of scientology"

Moscow, July 1, Interfax - The Russian Orthodox Church has welcomed a ruling by the Russian Supreme Court which yesterday upheld the legality of a shutdown of the "Church of Scientology of Moscow".

"The upholding by the Supreme Court of the legality of the shutdown of the so-called Church of Scientology is seen as an important precedent demonstrating the state's determination not to recognize as religious those organizations that use people's religious feeling for malign purposes, " Russian Orthodox Church spokesman Vakhtang Kipshidze told Interfax-Religion.

The ruling in the scientologists' case is not a breach of the religious freedom since "it was proved in court that the very activity of this organization is an affront to human freedom as such," Kipshidze said.

The Russian Orthodox Church regularly comes into contact with people whose membership in totalitarian sects left them deeply wounded spiritually and mentally, ruined their lives and happiness, the spokesman said. "This is why we see the decision against scientology as one that is directed at protecting the freedom and dignity of Russian citizens," Kipshidze said.

On June 29 the Russian Supreme Court issued a definitive ruling upholding the shutdown of the "Church of Scientology of Moscow" for incompliance with the requirements for a religious organization.

The lower court held that the activity of the religious organization was rather of a social and for-profit nature, which is inconsistent with the objectives of a religious organization. "Meanwhile, the organization receives unjustified tax preferences from the state," according to the case files.

Print this page

Home

News

.	Customize latest news

• Shaman Gabyshev involuntarily committed for indefinite period - rights activists 02 June 2020, 19:40
• World Russian People's Council calls on EU leaders to defend Russians' right to study in Ukrainian schools in their native language 02 June 2020, 18:27
• Moscow churches to reopen on June 6 (updated) 01 June 2020, 18:39
• Archbishop Giovanni d'Aniello appointed Vatican's new ambassador to Russia 01 June 2020, 14:05
• Chuvash metropolitan dies of coronavirus 01 June 2020, 12:07
• Russian army's main church due to open on June 22 29 May 2020, 17:38
• The quarantine time is optimal for spiritual growth, Patriarch Kirill believes 29 May 2020, 13:10
• Defense team of Yakutia's shaman Gabyshev challenges his commitment to psychiatric hospital in court 29 May 2020, 11:50
• Trial of Aum Shinrikyo's Russian cell head begins in Rostov-on-Don 27 May 2020, 21:23
• Siberian hermit Agafya Lykova does not know much about coronavirus, but prays for the sick 27 May 2020, 18:17
• The Protection Monastery in Moscow with St. Matrona relics opened for parishioners in spite of the acting ban of Russian Church 27 May 2020, 17:04
• Yekaterinburg diocese bans services of priest who cursed those who close churches over pandemic 27 May 2020, 11:17
• Defense team for Yakutia's shaman Gabyshev asks ECHR for urgent effort toward his release 26 May 2020, 13:56
• Chief rabbi of Russia believes attention to our neighbors to be the main achievement of the pandemic 25 May 2020, 16:12
• Coronavirus may be part of biopsychological war - Russian Orthodox Church 25 May 2020, 15:09
• Kiev Lavra of the Caves reopens following quarantine 25 May 2020, 14:03
• Police talked to Metropolitan Longin of Saratov as he came to the market without a mask 22 May 2020, 18:08
• Chairman of coordination center of North Caucasus Muslims hospitalized in Moscow 22 May 2020, 18:07
• The Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia to deliver 240 tons of Kosher food to those in need 22 May 2020, 17:43
• Russian Orthodox Church speaker calls its financial situation extremely difficult 22 May 2020, 16:52
• St. Petersburg's Evening Light charity to appeal designation of U.S. preacher Branham's materials as extremist 22 May 2020, 13:38
• Russian Orthodox Church organizes donation of blood from people who recovered from coronavirus 21 May 2020, 16:47
• Moldovan PM, in response to Synod's threats, calls for praying for Orthodox clergy's clarity of mind 21 May 2020, 12:55
• Muslims of Tatarstan to celebrate Eid al-Fitr in their homes 21 May 2020, 10:22
• Russian Orthodox Church yet to decide whether Patriarch Kirill will visit Serbia in Oct 20 May 2020, 19:50
• Moldovan Orthodox Church says Bill Gates, 5G dangerous for mankind 20 May 2020, 19:46
• Rabbi Lazar believes pandemic is a result of people's disassociation 20 May 2020, 13:35
• Archpriest Dimitry Smirnov recovered from coronavirus 19 May 2020, 21:04
• Jews all over the world celebrate the Victory Day according to the Jewish calendar 19 May 2020, 12:15
• Putin recommends Russian Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr at home (updated) 18 May 2020, 16:30

Other news